Free Toothbrush on October 23rd from Dr Jeanette Kern for National Hygiene Awareness Month

October is National Hygiene Awareness Month and the time to remember the Daily 4: Brush, Floss, Rinse and Chew for optimal oral health. National Hygiene Awareness Month also celebrates the work dental hygienists do and raise awareness about the importance of good oral health. Fresh breath, strong teeth and healthy gums are all an important of oral health that lead to a lifetime of smiles.

Monterey-based dentist, Dr. Jeanette Kern and her dental care team, are dedicated to educating others and promoting optimal oral health for our community. In recognition of National Hygiene Awareness Month this October, Dr. Kern will give a free high quality toothbrush to anyone who stops by their office at 660 Camino Aquajito, Suite 201, located just off of the Monterey exit of Highway 1. The office sells a number of outstanding oral hygiene products at their front desk.

According to Dr. Kern, “We are pleased to share the importance of Oral Health during National Hygiene Awareness Month and we know that proper bushing is a critical part of achieving optimal oral health. We look forward to seeing our patients and members of the community who can stop by on Monday, October 23rd to receive a complimentary toothbrush.”

About the Daily 4:

Brush

According to MouthHealthy.org, the ADA’s consumer website, the ADA recommends brushing your teeth twice a day, for two minutes, with a soft-bristled brush. The size and shape of the brush should fit the mouth allowing you to reach all areas easily

The proper brushing technique is to:

·Place your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle to the gums.

·Gently move the brush back and forth in short (tooth-wide) strokes.

·Brush the outer surfaces, the inner surfaces and the chewing surfaces of the teeth.

·To clean the inside surfaces of the front teeth, tilt the brush vertically and make several up-and-down strokes.

·Brush your tongue to remove bacteria and keep your breath fresh.

Floss

Although recent news reports have questioned its benefits of cleaning between your teeth, it is still an essential part of taking care of your teeth and gums, according to MouthHealthy.org. The

ADA recommends cleaning between your teeth once a day to remove plaque that is not removed by brushing. Plaque can eventually harden into calculus or tartar.

Pull 18 to 24 inches of dental floss from the floss dispenser.

Wrap the ends of the floss around your index and middle fingers.

Hold the floss tightly around each tooth in a C shape; move the floss back and forth in a push-pull motion and up and down against the side of each tooth.

You don't have to take a reel of floss with you wherever you go. The ADA says that most flossing alternatives are just as effective. You could try interdental brushes, which are tiny wires with bristles that you push between your teeth, or flossing picks or sticks. With these handy tools, you can floss your teeth on the go. (Source: Colgate Oral Health Center)

Rinse

Because teeth alone account for less than half of the mouth, rinsing can help eliminate biofilm and bacteria that brushing and flossing cannot. Rinsing often, along with brushing and flossing, may help reduce the chance of dental decay and infection. However, avoid rinses that have alcohol in them, according to MouthHealthy.org.

Chew

Lastly, clinical studies have shown that chewing sugarless gum for 20 minutes following meals can help prevent tooth decay. The chewing of sugarless gum increases the flow of saliva, which washes away food and other debris, neutralizes acids produced by bacteria in the mouth and provides disease-fighting substances throughout the mouth, according to MouthHealthy.org.

According to the American Dental Association, your general health is often linked to your oral health. "Oral health touches every aspect of our lives but is often taken for granted," according to the ADA. "Your mouth is a window into the health of your body. It can show signs of nutritional deficiencies or general infection. Systemic diseases, those that affect the entire body, may first become apparent because of mouth lesions or other oral problems."

About Dr. Jeanette Kern

Dr. Jeanette Kern is a nationally recognized leader in cosmetic, restorative and general dentistry. She is the only female dentist on the Monterey Dental Peer Review Board, and has earned a number of awards including Professional Women’s Network’s 2007 Woman of the Year. Dr. Kern taught dental hygiene at the UCLA School of Dentistry and the USC Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry prior to earning her doctorate of dental science.

She graduated at the top of her class from the UCLA School of Dentistry. Each year, Dr. Kern completes hundreds of hours of post-doctoral, continuing education with the world’s leading dental pioneers. She is the winner of the 2016 Business Excellence Award from the Monterey Peninsula Chamber of Commerce.